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Get Rid of Mildew on Hot Tub Pillows

Here’s how to get rid of mildew on hot tub pillows for a more enjoyable soak.

What Causes the Mildew?

Unfortunately, a hot tub is a very wet and steamy environment, and the pillows on hot tubs become prime candidates for mildew.

If you’ve noticed that musty smell on your pillows or even seen mildew beginning to form on your pillows, you need to take the proper steps right away to get rid of it.

Getting rid of mildew is a job you can easily do yourself using a few cleaning agents and tools that you probably have setting around your house. Once you collect the ingredients, all it takes is a little elbow grease for you to clean those pillows and get rid of that pesky mildew.

What Is Mildew?

How many of you know exactly what mildew is? You probably recognize the smell, but do you really know what it is?

Quite simply, mildew is a minute fungal hyphae that grows on almost any type of organic material if the environment is damp and moist. When it grows, a thin white coating forms over the surfaces.

Tools for the Job

Before you begin, you need to collect the proper tools to use to clean your hot tub pillows. These tools are nothing fancy, and you most likely have them around your house. If not, stop by Ultra Modern, and we can help. Here’s what you need:

Rubber Gloves

Goggles

Mild Detergent

Bleach

5 Gallons of Water

A Soft Brush or Sponge

Toothbrush

Soft Cloth or Rag

Or, SpaGuard Surface Cleaner

Prepare for Hard Work

Now that you have gathered your materials, it’s time to do a little hard work. Set aside some time as you need to make sure you clean every inch of the pillow.

1. Prepare Your Cleaning Solution

Pour a teaspoon of the mild detergent into the water and add a small amount of bleach. Mix it up thoroughly. This simple little solution is the perfect weapon against mildew.

2. Remove Hot Tub Pillows

Following the instructions in your hot tub’s manual, remove the pillows from the hot tub and put them in your cleaning area.

3. Clean Pillow Area on the Hot Tub

Before you begin to clean the covers, you must first clean the hot tub where the pillows were located. If you don’t, you could get regrowth rather quickly. Using your soft brush or sponge and your cleaning solution, gently wipe away the surfaces to remove any mildew that may be left behind.

4. Clean the Covers

Once you have cleaned the areas where the pillows were located on your hot tub, it is time to focus on the pillows themselves. Begin by using your sponge or brush to clean the covers.

Remember, you need to clean every part of the pillow in order to make sure you get rid of all the mildew. For those hard to reach areas, try using a toothbrush to scrub away the mildew and any other dirt and grime that is present.

5. Clean the Foam Encasements

Next take your foam core encasements and clean them using your brush and cleaning solution. This part is very important as they are used to protect and seal the hot tub. If they are not properly cleaned, bacteria can easily enter your hot tub causing more mildew to grow.

6. Dry the Hot Tub Pillows

Once you have completely cleaned them, take each part and place it somewhere dry. Try to pick a spot that gets a lot of sun as it helps kill any bacteria, mold and mildew that you have may have missed during the cleaning process.

7. Reassemble the Pillows

Now it is time for the final step – putting everything back together again. Before you do, verify that every part is completely dry, and you can’t see or smell mildew anymore.

Once you have confirmed that they are clean, reassemble the pillows, and you are ready to enjoy your hot tub once more.

Final Thoughts

Getting rid of mildew can be done with some hard work! You do want to stay on top of your cleaning, especially if it’s humid, and you use your hot tub often.

Want some help deciding what to use to clean your spa and spa pillows? Stop by one of our three locations and talk to our expert staff. We are here to help you!